Tesis para optar al grado de Magíster en Gestión y Dirección de Empresas / El presente análisis de factibilidad técnica, económica y financiera busca determinar la viabilidad de la implementación de una fábrica y comercializadora de muebles de madera en Honduras, esto ya que la venta de muebles en Honduras tiene un crecimiento de 8.4% anual, con un valor de US$77 millones. Adicionalmente, en Honduras no existe un comercio cuya creación de valor es entregar a los clientes muebles personalizados según sus necesidades y gustos, haciendo que sean únicos en el mercado de muebles. La metodología utilizada contempla desde el análisis y descripción del mercado de muebles hasta el análisis de los hábitos de los clientes en cada categoría, descripción de los atributos relevantes de los productos y el servicio, descripción de los medios de comunicación y comercialización. Por último, se realizó un análisis económico financiero del proyecto para determinar la inversión inicial requerida y la viabilidad financiera del mismo. Se servirá al segmento de clase media y media alta de las ciudades de Tegucigalpa, Comayagüela y San Pedro Sula, con un tamaño de 53,153 personas, debido a esto, el showroom estará localizado en la ciudad de Tegucigalpa en un área de 150 m2, con una inversión inicial de US$232,175 para compra de maquinaria y equipo, adecuación del showroom y la fábrica, de igual forma se requerirá catorce colaboradores para el inicio de operaciones, lo que representa un pago promedio anual de US$84,132. Luego de haber realizado el análisis financiero, se concluye que el proyecto es viable y se recomienda invertir en él, ya que el VAN da un resultado positivo de US$133,728 y una TIR de 37%, tasa que es superior a la tasa de descuento estimada (16.2%), el periodo de recuperación de la inversión es de 2.5 años. De acuerdo con el análisis de sensibilidad y el break even, se pueden tomar acciones que permitan revertir las situaciones adversas y resguardar la viabilidad del proyecto. El principal riesgo del negocio radica en la entrada de nuevos competidores con las mismas características del negocio y que los existentes ofrezcan el mismo servicio. Sin embargo, el segmento de mercado al que está dirigida la competencia es de carácter masivo, segmento que no se pretende abarcar con este proyecto. Según los análisis realizados, la información estudiada y la tendencia de la industria se recomienda realizar el proyecto, ya que no existen obstáculos en su ejecución, se tiene el know-how del negocio y los productos son atractivos al cliente.

Tesis para optar al grado de Magíster en Gestión y Políticas Públicas / Honduras es uno de los países Latinoamericanos que presentan los mayores indicadores de desigualdad en la distribución y acceso a la tierra y la vivienda, generando mayor informalidad, que afecta particularmente a los segmentos más vulnerables de la sociedad (Hábitat, 2017). Estudios del Banco Mundial (2014) calculan que solo alrededor del 30%, de los predios estimados en el país, se encuentran registradas formalmente en el registro de la propiedad y, según el Instituto de la Propiedad (IP), aproximadamente un 86% de la población vive en áreas que ocupa o posee sin un título legal que lo ampare; creando niveles altos de inseguridad sobre la tenencia de la tierra, limitando el crecimiento económico y la inversión, así como la estabilidad social y el uso sostenible de la tierra. (Paz, 2007). El último estudio desarrollado en 2014, evidencia un fuerte desconocimiento de la naturaleza jurídica de los predios y un bajo porcentaje de derechos mapeados e identificados; una escaza coordinación interinstitucional y una desarticulación de instrumentos de planificación, ya que en el país existen al menos 10 instituciones con competencias sobre la tierra y procedimientos diferentes que eventualmente ocasionan traslapes de funciones. Añadiendo a esto también los elevados índices de corrupción que sufren dichas instituciones. El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar el estado de la regularización predial en Honduras a partir del año 2015, tomando como línea base el estudio Marco de la Evaluación de la Gobernanza de la Tierra LGAF, Honduras 2014 , específicamente el módulo de regularización predial, considerando también la percepción de los diferentes actores sociales. Para ello, se empleó una metodología mixta (cuantitativa y cualitativa) de tipo descriptiva, utilizando la metodología LGAF planteada por el BM. Adicionalmente, se realizaron entrevistas semi estructuradas, que permitieron profundizar el análisis. Como marco analítico se utilizó la teoría desarrollada por varios organismos internacionales sobre los Sistemas de Administración de la Tierra (SAT), entendido como el sistema que provee la infraestructura para implementar las políticas de la tierra y las estrategias de administración de la tierra de forma que se apoye un desarrollo sostenible UNECE (1996); permitiendo comprender los elementos esenciales para una gestión eficiente de la tierra. Los resultados indican que Honduras pasó de Regular a Bueno , en la evaluación LGAF realizada por los expertos, evidenciando una mejora en el desarrollo de procesos y en la prestación de servicios; sin embargo, es una apreciación limitada al enfoque gubernamental. En torno al tema de tierra convergen un número importante de actores con diversos niveles de poder e influencia, el análisis más integral que incorpora la percepción de grupos sociales destacados, concuerdan en que los avances han sido muchos, pero no significativos para generar el impacto social necesario. ¿avance o retroceso?, estimaciones indican que la informalidad se ha reducido en un 4.5%, lo sin dudas representa un avance, no obstante, a ese ritmo Honduras necesitaría 105 años para lograr titular los 2.6 millones de predios estimados y lograr un verdadero impacto social que impulse un desarrollo económico y que contribuya a la reducción de la desigualdad y la pobreza.

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Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) (A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworm) infections are a significant public health concern in Honduras. These infections are treatable using inexpensive anthelmintic medications, however long-term control and eradication will require large investments in public and private sanitation infrastructure. Importantly, both types of interventions are targeted towards high-risk populations and regions rather than individuals. The goal of this thesis is to contribute to improving the efficiency of soil-transmitted helminth control efforts in Honduras. In our first study, we use multiple regression analyses to identify determinants of STH infections and generate estimates of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworm infection prevalence, as well as recommended deworming frequencies, for each of Honduras’ 298 municipalities. Our estimates suggest that prevalence of all three infections has declined over time, however 75% of municipalities still require annual or semi-annual deworming. In our second study, we quantify how the type of region used for measuring prevalence and allocating resources can impact the success and efficiency of public health programs. More specifically, we compare administrative regions to alternative zoning schemes at the same geographic scale. Our findings suggest that regions designed to be homogeneous with respect to prevalence can be more efficient than existing municipalities (at the same scale) for distributing resources. This research has implications on future control efforts. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of known risk factors associated with diabetes among James Moody Adams (JMA) clinic patients in order to develop and test educational material and clinical interventions to reduce the incidence of pre-diabetes and uncontrolled Type II Diabetes. The research objectives for this study focused on: 1. prevalence of Type II Diabetic patients at the Clinic; 2. pre- and post-test knowledge level of patients regarding their Type II Diabetes; 3. relationship between dependent variables (body mass index [BMI], blood glucose level, blood pressure, waist circumference, level of tobacco use, and level of depression) and the independent variables (age, gender, family history of diabetes, socio-demographical data [education level, level of income], literacy, and exercise regimen, medication, and diabetes knowledge); 4. effectiveness of a nutritional and lifestyle modification intervention program to control Type II Diabetes. Two hypotheses tests: 1. decrease blood glucose levels of Type II Diabetes Mellitus patients; 2. decrease weight by 5 percent among pre-diabetic and Type II Diabetes Mellitus patients. A follow-up survey determined participant's reflection on key dimensions of the study and impact of unforeseen political unrest that occurred during this study. The methodology was a case study with clinical and educational intervention across a 6 months. The population included patients presenting at the JMA clinic at onset of the study; an initial sample of 96 reduced to 48 due in part to political unrest was still within power test specification. Instrumentation include researcher developed, standard of care clinical practice and standardized forms. Analyses utilized descriptive statistics and t-test. Significant gain was determined for diabetic knowledge (p < 0.001); and significant decrease in Type II Diabetic blood glucose with p = 0.031. An important conclusion is that implementing a Type II Diabetic prevention program is feasible and effective in this study. Future recommendations include replication of the study and implementation of protocols and education that were successful in this study. / Ph. D.

The two papers in this thesis are aimed at solving problems in Integrated Pest Management project, practice, and program evaluations. In the first paper, an evaluation design is constructed for the Onion ipmPIPE website, an onion pest information website. The Bayesian decision theoretic approach may not accurately model onion growers' pest management decisions throughout the season. Randomization of the treatment is possible, but an incomplete grower list proved to be a problem. The analysis shows that an instrumental variables approach may be the most appropriate method for estimating the impact of the Onion ipmPIPE website because its data needs are solved by using USDA-NASS surveying services. In the second paper, the challenge is to develop a practical method to measure benefits accruing to women from agricultural research using secondary data. Donors, governments and others are interested in determining how benefits from agricultural research accrue to women. We develop a three-step framework to identify women's crops and technologies. In step one, total potential benefits from research are estimated; step two allocates those benefits between men and women; step three, incorporates technology-specific parameters to refine the estimates of potential benefits. We apply this framework to Honduras and find that steps one and two provide the most information on the magnitude and distribution of benefits, but that refinements in step three can affect rankings of research program impacts on women. / Master of Science

Smallholder farmers in Honduras and the Trifinio region of Central America contend with poor roads and high transportation costs when making production decisions. Farmers select crop activities based on cost, revenue and profit but are constrained by labor requirements, cash requirements, food security concerns, and input and output market access. Market access is directly related to distance to market. Distance to market increases the cost of inputs, increases transportation costs, and reduces the effective price farmers receive for outputs. We conduct two analyses to study the impact of distance to market on crop and technology choices. We utilize a household survey to analyze the determinants of fruit and vegetable production and market participation. Probit and multinomial logit models are employed to analyze the impact of distance to market and other variables on fruit and vegetable production. Results indicate that as distance to market increases, the probability of fruit and vegetable production for consumption increases and the probability of fruit and vegetable production for sale at market decreases. In a second paper, we utilize data from extension agencies, research institutions, a household survey, and expert opinions to model a representative Honduran farm. With linear programming, we analyze the crop and technology mix selected by the farm given changes in distance to the output market, changes in distance to the input market, food security concerns, and labor market participation. We focus specifically on integrated pest management (IPM) technologies. Results indicate that beyond a specific distance, vegetable production ceases, while staple crop production remains profitable. Additionally, a combination of low, medium, and high-technology crop activities is selected by a profit-maximizing farm. Even far away from the market, medium and high-technology crop activities are selected. Overall, these two studies indicate that distance to market is negatively related to fruit and vegetable production. A reduction in transportation costs and an increase in the prevalence of less input-intensive integrated pest management techniques may increase the incidence of fruit and vegetable production and market participation in Trifinio and Honduras. / Master of Science

Nas Américas, em especial na América do Sul, a infecção por Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi causa manifestações subclínicas e leishmaniose visceral (LV), a qual quando não tratada é potencialmente fatal. Na América Central, especialmente em Honduras, a leishmaniose cutânea não ulcerada ou atípica e a leishmaniose visceral são causadas pelo mesmo agente etiológico Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi e ocorrem na mesma região geográfica. Pouco se conhece sobre o perfil da infecção humana por Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi em Honduras, especialmente sobre a forma não ulcerada ou atípica, sendo assim, no sentido de compreender melhor a patogênese da infecção causada por esta espécie de parasito no município de Amapala (Valle) e Orocuina (Choluteca), Honduras, o presente estudo visou a caracterização histopatológica e da resposta imune celular in situ em lesões de pacientes com leishmaniose cutânea não ulcerada ou atípica. Foram utilizadas 20 biópsias de pele de pacientes com diagnóstico parasitológico confirmado por raspado de lesão corado por Giemsa e observado em microscópio ótico. A histopatologia foi avaliada em cortes histológicos corados por hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e a resposta imune por meio da reação de imunoistoquímica utilizando anticorpos primários para macrófagos (CD68), linfócitos T (CD4, CD8), células natural killer - NK (CD56), linfócitos B (CD20), óxido nítrico sintetase (NOS2) e interferon-gama (IFN-y. Microscopicamente as alterações histopatológicas mais significativas foram observadas na derme superficial e profunda caracterizando-se por um infiltrado inflamatório predominantemente linfohistiocitário de intensidades variável com arranjo difuso e, por vezes, associado à formação de granulomas epitelioides. A observação de formas sugestivas do parasito ocorreu em apenas 55 % dos casos. A análise imunoistoquímica das lesões confirmou a presença de células mononucleares no infiltrado inflamatório caracterizada principalmente pela presença de linfócitos TCD8+, seguido por TCD4+, macrófagos, linfócitos B e células NK. A grande densidade de células INF-y+ e a presença da enzima iNOS, responsável pela produção de óxido nítrico, molécula com atividade leishmanicida, em quase a totalidade dos macrófagos do infiltrado inflamatório, sugere uma resposta imune local bastante efetiva, que colabora para o controle do número de parasitos e consequentemente a evolução do tamanho da lesão / In America, especially in South America, infection by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi causes subclinical manifestations and visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which when untreated is potentially fatal. In Central America, especially in Honduras, non-ulcerated or atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis are caused by the same etiologic agent Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi and occur in the same geographic region. Little is known about the profile of human infection by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi in Honduras, especially on the non-ulcerated or atypical form. In order to better understand the pathogenesis of the infection caused by this species of parasite in the municipality of Amapala (Valle) and Orocuina (Choluteca), Honduras, the present study aim the characterization of histopathological changes and cellular immune response in situ in lesions of patients with non-ulcerated or atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis. Twenty skin biopsies from patients with parasitological diagnosis confirmed by scraping of Giemsa-stained lesion and observed using an optical microscope. Histopathology, was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and the immunohistochemistry using the primary antibodies to macrophages (CD68), T lymphocytes (CD4, CD8), natural killer cells - NK (CD56), B lymphocytes CD20), nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-y). Microscopically, the most significant histopathological changes were observed in the superficial and deep dermis, characterized by a predominantly lymphohistiocytic inflammatory infiltrate of variable intensities with diffuse arrangement and sometimes associated with the formation of epithelioid granulomas; the observation of suggestive forms of the parasite occurred in only 55 % of the cases. The immunohistochemical analysis of the lesions confirmed the presence of mononuclear cells in the inflammatory infiltrate characterized mainly by the presence of T-CD8+ lymphocytes, followed by T-CD4+, macrophages, B lymphocytes and NK cells. The high density of INF-y+ cells and the presence of iNOS, enzyme responsible for the production of nitric oxide, molecule with activity leishmanicide, in almost all of the macrophages in the inflammatory infiltrate, suggest an effective local immune response that collaborate to the control in the number of parasites and consequently the evolution of the lesion